Neil Alexander

Neil Alexander (born 10 March 1978 in Edinburgh, Scotland) is a Scotland professional football (soccer) Goalkeeper (association football) who is currently playing for Scottish Premier League side Rangers F.C..

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Neil Alexander biography

Neil Alexander (born 10 March 1978 in Edinburgh, Scotland) is a Scotland professional football (soccer) Goalkeeper (association football) who is currently playing for Scottish Premier League side Rangers F.C..

Club career

Early career

Alexander started Neil Alexander career with Stenhousemuir F.C. before moving to Livingston F.C. in 1998, where Neil Alexander was part of the Scottish Football League First Division title-winning side of 2001. Neil Alexander made Neil Alexander Livingston debut on 3 October 1998 against Partick Thistle F.C..

Cardiff City

On 28 May 2001 Neil Alexander joined Cardiff City F.C. for £200,000 and in six years at Ninian Park played over 200 games for the Bluebirds, including helping them win promotion to the Football League Championship. During Neil Alexander time at Cardiff, Alexander became a fans favourite and manager Lennie Lawrence was heavily criticised on several occasions after attempting to replace Neil Alexander with Tony Warner. During the 2006–07 season Neil Alexander became embroiled in a contract dispute with the club which left Neil Alexander refusing to sign a new contract. Cardiff manager Dave Jones (football manager) replaced Alexander as first choice for the last two months of the season with David Forde (soccer). Neil Alexander last appearance for Cardiff was on 31 March in a 1–0 defeat to Sunderland A.F.C. and at the time of Neil Alexander departure Neil Alexander was the longest serving player at the club.

Ipswich Town

On 16 July 2007 Neil Alexander put pen to paper on a deal with rival Championship side Ipswich Town F.C.. On Neil Alexander arrival at Portman Road Alexander immediately became first choice goalkeeper at the club. Neil Alexander made Neil Alexander debut against Sheffield Wednesday F.C. on 11 August 2007. Alexander made 31 appearances for Ipswich during Neil Alexander six month spell.

Rangers

On 30 January 2008, Rangers F.C. agreed a deal with Ipswich Town F.C. for the transfer of Alexander and Neil Alexander signed a three and half year contract later that day. The transfer was believed to be a free with add-ons related to success, although its officially undisclosed.

On 3 February, Alexander made Neil Alexander debut for Rangers as an 88th minute substitute, after Allan McGregor had been sent off in the Scottish Cup against Hibernian F.C.. On 16 April, Alexander made Neil Alexander Old Firm debut as a 77th minute substitute for the injured Allan McGregor. Neil Alexander then played a vital role in Rangers' UEFA Cup and Scottish Cup semi-final wins, where Neil Alexander made important saves when both games were decided by penalty shoot-outs.

Alexander was promoted to first choice keeper at Rangers in April 2009, following the suspension of Allan McGregor after a late night drinking session with then Rangers and Scotland captain, Barry Ferguson. Neil Alexander remained in goal until the end of the season, winning the league and cup double. The following season McGregor returned to first choice goalkeeper but Alexander played in all matches of the successful 2010 Scottish League Cup Final, including the final against St. Mirren F.C..

In the pre season testimonial game for Queen of the South's Jim Thomson (footballer born 1971), Alexander came on at half time as a substitute for Queens despite being on the Rangers bench. Queens Roddy McKenzie had gone off injured. Scally initially went in goal due to both the other keepers on Queens' books being injured.

In the 2010-11 season, Alexander was second choice keeper, but, was promoted to first choice in league cup games. Neil Alexander won Neil Alexander third league cup honour with Rangers on the 20 March 2011, in a 2-1 extra time win over Old Firm rivals Celtic F.C..

Club Career Statistics

(Accurate as of 30th July 2011)

Personal Life

Neil studied at Telford College, Edinburgh whilst on the books at Livingston_F.C.. In a Scotland_national_football_team programme before the Euro_2004 playoff with the Netherlands national football team, Neil Alexander declared that as a youngster Neil Alexander was a fan of Heart of Midlothian and Manchester United.

International career

Alexander was first called up for Scotland during the 2002 Far East tour but did not receive a cap (sport). Neil Alexander made Neil Alexander Scotland national football team debut as a 49th minute substitute in a friendly against Switzerland national football team in 1 March 2006. Alexander also played a part in Scotland's Kirin_Cup 2006_Kirin_Cup win and played both matches against Bulgaria national football team and Japan national football team.